Time-element device



April 8, 1924. 1,489,762

A. E. HUDD ET AL TIME ELEMENT DEVICE Original iled Oct- 29, 1921 Sweets-Sheet I April 8 1924.

A. E. HUDD ET AL TIME ELEMENT DEVICE- Original Filed Oct. 29 1921 55 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 8 1924.

A. E. HUDD ET AL T'IME ELEMENT DEVICE Original Filed Oct. 29, 1921 3 Sl'seebs-Shee 5 Patented Apr. 8, 1924.

UNITED STATES ALFRED ERNEST HUDD, OF

NEW BRIGHTON, AND ARTHUR FRANK BOUND, 0F

TIMI ERLEY, ENGLAND.

TIME-ELEMENT DEVICE.

Original application filed October 29, 1921, Serial No. 511,322. Divided this application filed September 25, 1922. Serial No. 590,369.

To all 10710712 ill; mug concern:

Be it known that we, ALFRED ERNEST Hnnn and ARTHUR FRANK Boom), subjects of theKing of Great Britain and Ireland, and residents, respectively, of New Brighton, Cheshire, England, and Timperley, lheshire, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Time-Element- Deviees, of which the ti'ollowiiiig is a specification.

The present invention relates to an improved time element device for use in train control. systems; such a time element device consists essentially of a member controlled in such a manner that it cannot complete its movement until a predetermined time has elapsed, such time element device being used for controlling the application of the brakes if the train passes between two points in less than the time for which the time element device is set, and the object of the invention is to provide a time element device electrically operated which rcqui res only a small amount of operating current and yet remains highly accurate.

One of the features of the present invention is an arrangement for controlling the time element device by an oscillating member, such as a balance wheel of a clock, thus rendering the device highly accurate. It is therefore of importance that the construction of the time element device could be such that it will require very little operating power and for this purpose a very special design of the coupling has been evolved by which the work to be performed by the oscilbiting member is reduced to a minin. This feature of the invention consists of an ar inge-ment for delaying the complete u'iovcment of an operating member by interposing a ball or roller loosely supported between suitably shaped surfaces of a regularly moving member and. the operating member. The operating member on being subjected to a tractive force presses the ball or roller so that the regularly moving member causes it to roll between the said surfaces for a predetermined distance when a depresthrough a pawl and ratchet device, the step by step movement of a cylindrical disc while the armature of an electromagnetis pr0vided with a curved arm having substantially the same centre of curvature as the disc so that when the armature is attracted it presses a roller a iinst the surface of the disc, the roller then rolls along the operating member until it reaches a depression in the surace of the arm of the armature when the iature is freed to complete its movement and operate contact springs or the like. It will thus be appreciated that by this construction the work to be done by the oscilla ing member is only that of advancing the roller, on the other hand the actual power required to operate the contact springs is ob tained from the electromagnet. The invention will be better understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is identical with that shown in our copcnding application Serial No. 511,322, from which the present application has been divided. This figure is retained in the present application to illustrate the application of the invention to a train control system.

Fig e 2 shows a sectional elevation of the in proved time control element.

Figure 3 shows a side section with mechanism and coils removed.

Figure 4- shows an inverted plan with the base removed.

Figure 5 shows a side sectional elevation, and

Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of the coupling arrangement.

Figure 7 shows a plan and elevation of the contact arrangement for maintaining the movement of the vibratory member.

The construction of the time control device ilustrated in Figures 92-6 will first be explained.

The time eon ,ol el ent consists of an electromagne cont oiling an armature 121. This 2.1 nature 121 is pivoted at 12 1 and is provided with an arm 12-3 having a curved surface 125 on one side and a projec ing member 126 on the other side which normally engages with projection 127v on the shaft 128 carrying the balance weight 129.

ll shaft 130 pivoted in brackets 131 and 132 carries a ratchet wheel 133 and a cylindrical disc 13%, while a bracket 135 loosely supper 6 under Q 141 Al W81 gh't rolgi the su me un L SOL ically controlled or mechanically controlled and are adapted to be brought to off position only when the corresponding signal shows clear. As an example of how these train stops may be made and how they operate reference is made to British Patent No. 6807/14,

The auxiliary train stop is located at a position which is determined by the local conditions. It is assumed that a certain block clearance is allowable beyond the home signal H in which a train must pull up as to pass beyond this limit when the signal is at danger is to run the danger of an accident. Consequently, if the train is travelling below a certain speed the train stop TS at the home signal H would be able to bring it to rest within the block clearance, but it the train is exceeding a certain speed then the auxiliary train stop ATS must come into action and the position is so chosen that if a train is going at its in ximum possible speed it will always be pulled up within the block cleara nee past the home signal if the brakes are applied by the train stop ATS. If desir able, of course, other auxiliary train stops could be provided to correspond to intermediate speeds, but in practice one auxiliary train stop will usually be all that is desirable. The speed of the train is estimated by means of a time element device comprising a neutral relay R- and a time control device TC which is represented diagramnn'ttioally and is illustrated in greater detail in Figures 2-6. This time element device serves to determine whether the time taken for the train to pass over a measured track which extends from the i insulator 101 to the auxiliary train stop ATS is less or greater than a predetern'iined amount. Immediately below the insulator 101 is shown an insulator 102; this is provided to effectively insulate the rails at the points from the main track, as these rails are usually guarded by a short local. track circuit.

On the right hand side of the insulator 101 on the upper rail, a short insulated rail 110 is fitted in the main track. This insulated. rail is electromagnetically connected to a battery B and to the armature 112 of the relay R. The rail 111 which extends from the insulator 101 to the left of the rail 110 beyond the auxiliary train stop ATS to the insulator 113 is also insulated and is electromagnetically connected to the working contact 114 of the armature '112. BVV represents the block wire which extends from one signal cabin to the next in series with polarized relay PB. This relay can only operate when the direction of current in the block wire corresponds to the signal Train on line having been set up. Under these circumstances armature 116 is attracted and a circuit extends from rail 117 through armature 116 and its working contact, relay R, battery B to insulated rail 110. This circuit obviously cannot be completed until a train connects the rail 110 with the lower rail 117.

It will be assumed that the signals are at danger and the train has advanced beyond the distant signal. Under these circumstances the engine-driver should have reduced the speed of the train according to instructions. But whether or not, as soon as the front wheels of the train pass beyond the insulators 101 the rails 110 and 117 are electrically connected together and the relay R ener izes in the previously traced circuit. The relay then attracts its armatures 112, 118 and 119. At armature 112 it completes a locking circuit for itself independent of the rail 110 which may be traced as tollows:-Rail 117 armature 116, and its working contact, relay R, battery B, armature 112, contact 114, to rail 111 which is now connected by the train to the rail 117. The relay R- here-fore remains energized until the last carriage of the train passes beyond the insulator 113. At its armature 119, a circuit is closed for the electromagnet 120 of the time control device TC as follows: positive pole of battery B, electromagnet 120, armature 119 and its Working contact to negative pole of battery B. The electromagnet 120 energizes and attracts its armature 121. This armature is provided with two arms 122 and 123, the arm 122 corresponding to the projection 126 (see Figure 2) while the arm 123 is substantially identical to that described with reference to Figures 26. The arm 122 releases the balance weight 129 which commences to oscillate under the control of the electromagnet 146. By means of its cam 150 the balance weight 129 causes the roller 151 by means of the pawl 170 to advance the ratchet wheel 133 step by step and to rotate with it the cylindrical disc 134. The arm 123 moves sufiiciently to force the roller 136 into engagement with both the surface 125 of the arm 123 and the surface of the cylindrical disc 134, the roller advances and after a predetermined time comes opposite the recess 152 when the armature 121 is no longer prevented from moving to its fully attracted position to engage with the contacts 144 and 145, when a circuit is closed as follows: Positive pole of battery B contact 144, armature 121, contact 145, contact 155, controlled by auxiliary train stop ATS by being mechanically coupled thereto, winding 157 of the electromagnet controlling said train stop, armature 118 to negative pole of battery B which is connected in series with battery B The train stop magnet is thereby excited and its arm moved to the otl po (ieviw min lapse of a predetermined time.

h at

(00 Cour? 161' current 13 e- E mdc 1t being 1 sidembh hem Gucci a con 4. A time clement device comprising a member adapted to be operated against a continuously acting restoring force, means for locking said member in its operated. position, contacts adapted to be closed when said member is in its operated position, an electromagnet in circuit with said contacts and adapted to be energized. when said cont acts are closed, an armature on said elec tromagnet and controlling means by which the completion of the movement of said armature is only enabled to take place after the lapse of a predetermined time.

5. A. time element device comprising an electromagnet, an armature controlled by said electromagnet, contact .inembers adapted to be operated by said armature to pre pare a holding circuit for said electromagnet, a second electromagnet, contact members adapted to be closed by the armature of the first electromagnet to complete an energizing circuit for said second electromagnet, an armature controlled bv said sec ond electromagnet and a controlling device by which the completion of the mo ement of said second armature is only enabled to take place after the lapse of a predetermined time. i

6. A time element device comprising a quick-moving member adapted to be oper ated against a continuously acting restoring force, a second member adapted to be set in movement by said first member also against a continuously acting restoring force controlling means by which the completion of the movement of said second member is only enabled to take place after the lapse of a predetermined time, and means for removing the operating force on said quiclr-moving member to permit it to restore at once to its normal position under the sole control of the continuously acting restoring force.

7. A time element device comprising a member adapted to be raised against its own weight, a second member adapted to be setin movement when said first member is raised, also against its own weight and controlling means by which the completion of the movement oii said second member is only enabled to take place after the lapse of a predetermined time. I

8. A time element device comprising an electromagnet, an armature adapted to be raised against its own weight when said electromagnet is energized. contact members adapted to be operated by said armature to complete a holding circuit for said electromagnet, a second electromagnet, contact members controlled by the armature of said first electromagnet to complete the energizing circuit for said second electromagnet, an armature adapted to be raised against its own weight when said second electromagnet is excited and COntI'OlliIlg means by which the completion of the upward move ment or" said second armature is only enabled to take place after the lapse of a predetermined time.

9. A time element device comprising a member adapted to be o erated against a continuously acting restoring force, means for locking said member in its operated position, a second member adapted. to be set in moven'ient by said first member also against a continuously acting restoring force, controlling means by which the completion of the movement of said second member is only enabled to take place after the lapse of a predetermined time and means for controlling said locking means to permit said first member to resume its normal position under the control of the continuously acting restoring force.

10. A time element dc ice comprising a re lay, an electromagnet adapted to be energized when said relay is excited, an armature on said elcctromagnct adapted to be subjected to a tractive force when said electromagnet is energizedv an obstructing member for preventing the completion of the movement of said armature and means for rendering said obstructingmember ineffective after a predetermined time.

11. A time controlled element comprising a member adapted to be operated against a continuously acting restoring force, an ob structing member adapted to prevent the completion of the movement of said first member and means for rendering said obstructing member noirefliective to prevent the completion of the movement of said first member after a predetermined time.

12. A time controlled element comprising a member adapted to be operated againsta continuously acting restoring force, a movable member, an obstructing member adapted to prevent the completion of the movement of said first mei'nbcr and means for coupling said obstructing member with said movable memoer so as to enable it to be withdrawn from the path of said first member after a predetermined time.

13. A time controlled element comprising a member adapted to be operated against a continuously acting restoring force, a member having a smooth surface adapted to be rotated at a regular rate, a roller adapted to be interposed between said first member and the surface of said rotatable member, said first member being arranged to force said roller against said surface when first operated, means for causing said rotatable member to move thereby causing said roller to roll between said members to permit the complete movement of said first member when the roller has advanced a predetermined distance.

14. A time controlled element comprising a member having a curved surface, a second winm o venicnt.

T moving:- men) ME! regnlm: 1.5? member A eme noe 'tien e-cnei'gizze fl.

nirollinq' elen'lenl' e ember ii lanteil to 'DOSiilOlL :1 mm eccm'ml 5o W member having a on one side and a e l be other side. and, :1 provtecl to engrc'e Willi said W5 nee t hold the ()Wlllzlt- ,l'eine position an l vein; operated lo release the en to again engage mid C(l surface. the projecting 1nemnei'niiite l lo slide easily over sni l graded em'iace Without interferthe movement of eairl oecillnting enable i; to be again locked in an i position.

time conti'elling element comprisli ii an GlQPiEO/URU iet armature con- 1 trolled by mid eleci'i'oiiiag'nci', 21 projecting kl armature :n oscillating member on e: ineinbei' adapted to be n mall helcl by sair; pIro'eQtinQ ineinbei' in an extreme posiniecl lo he released when sairl o magnetic member 7 oscillating member, a sec- OlIEZl-QIlil Cfiillpllfiin agnei; adapted. when excited. so as to have a pcto exert :1 control ing action on. said mag 10TH lOQlI- net-i0 ineznben contacts controlled bv sai l extieme posifion. scilleling: member adapted to be closed to locking means to complete a circuit ior said second elect ro Sa d m be an magnet when said magnetic member is approaching the poles of said electromagnet, whereby said oscillating member is maintained in regular movement, and a camv mounted on the shaft of said oscillating member and having a steeply graded surface for enga 1g with said projecting memher and a graoually graded surface to per mit said oscillating member advancing to an extreme position where it is held by the projecting member after the armature has been released due to the de-energization of said first electromagnet.

2 1:. A time controlled element comprising: an QlQCtITOB'HL QRQQ an armature controlled by said electromagnet having a member with concave surface on one side and a projecting member on the other side, an oscillating member normally held in an extreme position by said projecting member and adapted to be released when said electromagnet is energized, a pawl, a ratchet wheel, a cam on the shaft 0:? iid oscillating member adapted. to engage said pawl and cause the ratchet wheel to be advanced one step for each oscillation or part oscillation of said oscillating member, a cylindrical disc caused to rotate with said ratchet wheel and having its axis approximately coincid ingwith the centre of curvature of the concave surface of the member secured to the armature, a roller loosely supported between thesurface of said cylindrical disc and said concave surface and adapted to engage with said surfaces when said armature is attracted to prevent the full movement of the armature, there being a recess in said curved surface in which said roller is adapted to enter when the cylindrical disc has rotated a predetermined amount to permit full. movement of said armature, and means for permitting said projecting member to again engage and hold said oscillatin member in an extreme position when the electromagnet is de-energized.

A time controlled element comprising an electromagnet, an armature for said electromagnet, a member having regular periodic movement adapted to control the movement of said armature when attracted, and contact members adapted to be operated by said armature on completion of its movement to close an electrical circuit.

26. A time controlled element comprising an operating; member, a periodically moving member adapted to be set in movement by said operating member. a second member adapted to be ad 'anced against a continuously acting; restoring force by said periodically moving; member a predetermined distance in a predetermined time.

27; A time controll d element comprising an electromagnet, an armature for said electromagnet, a member having regular periodic movement adapted to be released when said armature is attracted, a second member adapted to be advanced by said periodically movin f member to a predetermined position in a predetermined time, and means for adjusting the initial position of said second member so that the time taken to reach the predetermined position may be varied.

Signed by me at Liverpool, England this 30th day of i1 ngust, 1922.

ALFRED ERNEST HUDD.

Signed by me at Manchester, England,

' this 8th day of September, 1922.

ARTHUR FRANK BOUND. 

